By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Hard-hitting southpaw Michael Farenas, a protégé of former two division world champion Gerry Penalosa, fights Joseph “Mandingo” Laryea at the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Cabazon, California on May 21.
Penalosa disclosed that should Farenas win impressively, a possible shot at undefeated featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa looms.
Farenas has won four bouts against tough opponents in the US and is ready to move up to the next level in his career.
Farenas was originally scheduled to see action on a May 6 card in Las Vegas but his opponent claimed injury in training while his replacement pulled out after seeing the record of Farenas which stands at 30-3-3 with 26 knockouts.
Farenas is coming off a majority ten round decision in a classic battle with Ariel Delgado last January 14 in Paranaque City while the 26 year old Laryea, who has a record of 14-5 with 11 knockouts, lost his last fight on March 12 this year.
Laryea, who is from Ghana, retired in the 7th round in a WBO world super featherweight title fight against Ricky Burns and is keen on avenging that defeat and getting back into title contention.
Penalosa told the Daily Inquirer that Farenas has been training hard at the Wild Card Gym under Freddie Roach and has been looking good.